WINGATE, N.C. – Shaking off an hour-plus delay due to a referee injury and a two-goal deficit in the second half, Nova Southeastern stormed back to earn a quality 2-2 draw on the road at Wingate on Saturday. The Sharks trailed 2-0 in the 69^th minute, yet gained momentum after a Jan Luca Ahillen converted penalty kick, before Michael Lawrence tallied his team-leading fourth goal of the season to send Nova Southeastern home following an unbeaten road trip.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 2, Wingate 2
Records: Nova Southeastern (2-1-1), Wingate (2-0-1)
Location: WU Soccer Complex | Wingate, N.C.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_MSoccer | Instagram - @nsu_msoccer | Facebook - /nsusoccer

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Both defenses controlled much of the match, especially in the first half, as the two sides combined for just four shots. Matty Cornish created the first real scoring threat for either team in the 15^th minute, but the midfielder's attempt from the middle of the 18-yard box was blocked and sent away.
• A tough break for the Sharks in the 22^nd minute put Wingate on the scoreboard after failed clearance on a low cross was deflected past Nova Southeastern keeper Titouan Le Roux for an own goal.
• The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Bulldogs in the early stages of the second half. Wingate's Elliot Cutts twice nearly doubled the margin, however, the first shot clanked off the left post before the second was turned away by Le Roux.
• Wingate was able to capitalize, though, in the 62^nd minute on a goal by Suart Hendry, extending the lead to 2-0.
• Still, the Sharks remained poised with about a third of the match remaining, and received a boost after an inadvertent handball in the box resulted in Ahillen's second goal in as many matches.
• Feeding off the energy, Nova Southeastern nearly struck again less than 10 minutes later when Bryan Bakboord bent a well-timed cross towards a streaking Sebastian Loibl. Loibl couldn't quite connect, however, as the ball ricocheted out of bounds.
• The missed opportunity would soon be forgotten, though, thanks to an incredible effort by Lawrence in the 79^th minute. On a pass lazily played back by a Wingate defender, the sophomore stole the ball from the keeper and cashed in with an empty-net finish.
• Nova Southeastern came inches away from jumping in front late on an Isidoro Garcia free kick from the edge of the box. A diving save thwarted the chance, however, ultimately securing the hard-fought tie.

UP NEXT:
Nova Southeastern will have a bit of added recovery time before returning to the pitch next Friday at home against Florida Memorial. For online coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_MSoccer.